Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
  • A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
  • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
  • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
  • Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Definitions

• the invention relates to aeroponic and hydroponic cultures. More in detail, the invention relates to a device for making aeroponic and hydroponic culture systems, and to a corresponding system, particularly suitable for growing vegetables, flowers and small plants in general. It is common knowledge that aeroponic and hydroponic cultures rely on devices in which the plants are usually arranged inside specific containers made of a synthetic or other material and complete with means for irrigating and fertilising the roots of the plants with a given concentration of nutritional substances dissolved in water.
• the supporting role of the soil is carried out by means for supporting the plants, which may be a panel and/or a sheet, and/or a layer of gauze, and/or a net, and/or an inert material used as a substrate, or other suitable means.
• the means for distributing the nutritional solutions are situated on the bottom of the container and are complete with a plurality of holes or nozzles for delivering the nutritional solution to the roots growing inside said container.
• these holes or nozzles can sprinkle or spray the nutritional substances in solution onto the roots suspended in the air underneath the surface on which the plants are supported.
• a first drawback of this type of arrangement lies in that any solid particles, soil and waste products may become detached from the roots and thus obstruct the holes or nozzles in the means used to distribute the nutritional solution. Moreover, as they grow and extend downwards, the roots themselves may also obstruct these holes or nozzles. This prevents an adequate and even distribution of the nutritional solution over the roots and a consequent optimal growth of the plants.
• Another drawback lies in that, with time, the root apparatus developing inside the container tends to form a barrier coming between the nebulizers and the roots. As a result, the roots are no longer wetted over their entire surface area and full length; only the lower tips of the roots are reached and wetted, so the quantity of nutritional substances absorbed by the plants diminishes, preventing their optimal growth and reducing the efficiency of the system as a whole.
• Another drawback of the known devices for aeroponic and hydroponic cultures consists in that they do not include an efficient system for recycling the nutritional solution, with consequent wastage and the hazardous dispersion of substances that pollute the environment.
• a first object of the invention is to carry out a device and a related system for aeroponic and hydroponic cultures that are particularly suitable for growing vegetables, flowers and small plants in general, and that enable the above-mentioned drawbacks to be overcome.
• Another object is to carry out a device and a system capable of irrigating and fertilising the roots of vegetables, flowers and small plants in general with a nutritional solution in such a way as to prevent any particles, soil, waste matter, the roots themselves or anything else from obstructing and/or restricting this irrigating and fertilising action, or at least in such a way as to make this less likely to occur.
• Another object of the invention is to carry out a device and a system that enable these roots to be wetted substantially over their entire surface area and full length.
• Another object is to carry out a device and a system that enable the nutritional solution not absorbed by the root apparatus of the plants to be retrieved and recycled. Another object is to carry out a completely automated system for the delivery and management of a nutritional solution for vegetables, flowers and small plants in general for applications in the field of aeroponic and hydroponic cultures. Another object is to carry out a system that enables the quantities of nutritional substances dissolved in the solution to be automatically controlled and adjusted to constantly maintain an optimal concentration of these nutritional substances. Another object is to carry out a device and a system for aeroponic and hydroponic cultures in which the plants grow in a continual production cycle. Another object is to carry out a device configured so that it can be quickly and easily combined with other similar devices for their assembly in series.
• Another, not necessarily last object of the invention is to carry out a device and a related system that are economical and easy to manufacture and assemble.
• the above objects are achieved by a device for use in systems for aeroponic and hydroponic cultures, and by a corresponding system particularly suitable for growing vegetables, flowers and small plants in general, as described and characterised in the corresponding independent claims.
• the proposed solution advantageously enables the construction of a device and of a system that enable the substantially uniform irrigation and fertilisation of the roots of vegetables, flowers and small plants in general, irrespective of the growth of the root apparatus.
• the proposed solution also advantageously enables the construction of a device and of a system capable of increasing the quantity of nutritional substances coming into contact with and absorbed by the roots of the plants.
• the proposed solution also advantageously enables the construction of a device and of a system that reduce the dispersion of pollutant substances to a minimum, thus complying with the standards concerning pollution control, while also safeguarding the health of operators.
• the proposed solution also advantageously enables the construction of a device that enables production costs to be contained by minimising waste.
• the proposed solution also advantageously enables the construction of a device and of a system that reduce the action required by human operators to a minimum.
• the proposed solution also advantageously enables the construction of a device and of a system that can ensure optimal efficiency, consequently enabling a higher productivity to be achieved.
• FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a device carried out according to the invention
• - figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the device shown in figure l;
• figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the device shown in figure 1 ;
• FIG. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of another example of embodiment of a device carried out according to the invention.
• figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the device shown in figure 4;
• - figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a component of the device shown in figure 4;
• - figure 7 shows a view from above of the device shown in figure 6;
• FIG. 8 shows another cross-sectional view of the device shown in figure 7;
• FIG. 9 and 10 show a front view and a side view of another component of the device shown in figure 4;
• FIG. 11 and 12 show a front view and a side view of another portion of the device shown in figure 4;
• FIG. 13 schematically shows a perspective view of another example of embodiment of a device carried out according to the invention.
• figure 14 shows a longitudinal section of the device shown in figure 13;
• - figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the device shown in figure 13
• - figure 16 shows an exploded perspective view of the device shown in figure 13;
• FIG. 17 and 18 show a front view and a side view of a component of the device shown in figure 13;
• FIG. 19a, 19b and 19c each show a cross-sectional view of different examples of embodiment of a device carried out according to the invention
• FIG. 20 schematically shows a system for aeroponic and/or hydroponic cultures, which is also the subject of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 One embodiment of a device for aeroponic and hydroponic cultures forming the subject of the present invention is schematically shown in figures from 1 to 3, where it is indicated as a whole by the numeral 1. It comprises a box-shaped body 2, that is open at the top and that comprises a bottom 3, and side walls 4.
• the body 2 extends mainly along a longitudinal axis 5 and is complete with supporting means 6 designed to provide support for an element E that supports the plants P being cultivated.
• the nutritional solution S is carried to the roots R of the plants P being cultivated in the device 1 by delivery means 8 installed preferably on at least one of the side walls 4 of the device 1. This advantageously ensures that the nutritional solution S always reaches the roots R, even when they have grown. During said growth, in fact, the roots R tend to extend towards the bottom 3 of the device 1, no longer touching the side walls 4, where the means 8 are advantageously installed, and thus do not obstruct said means 8.
• the delivery means 3 comprise two delivery ducts 9 extending along the full longitudinal length of the device and each complete with one or more nozzles 10 suitable for spraying and/or nebulizing the nutritional solution S and guiding it towards the centre of the box-shaped body 2, in the direction of the roots R of said plants P.
• Each delivery duct 9 is removably attached to the side wall 4; more precisely, it engages in a longitudinal seat provided on each longitudinal side wall of the device 1, as shown in figure 3.
• Each duct 9 can be attached to the corresponding side wall 4 using fixing means 6 that, in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, comprise the two above-mentioned seats extending longitudinally along the side walls 4 of the body 2, as shown in figure 3.
• said piping is created in a single moulding, together with the whole channel and/or with the side walls.
• these fixing means may clearly also consist of other systems, preferably of the snap action type.
• the device 1 also comprises at least one inlet duct 11 for delivering the nutritional solution, in communication with each delivery duct 9. Again according to the invention, the device 1 also comprises means 12 for collecting any nutritional solution S that is not absorbed by the roots R and that consequently drops to the bottom 3 of the device 1.
• said collection means 12 comprise at least one collection channel 13 provided in the vicinity of the bottom 3 of the main body 2 and communicating with the outside by means of a drainage duct 14 that enables the excess solution being collected to be discharged.
• the collection channel 13 comprises a groove that extends longitudinally along the bottom of the main body 2.
• the main body 2 has a substantially V-shaped cross-section in the preferred non-limiting embodiment illustrated herein.
• the side walls 4 slope towards the bottom 3 at an angle preferably coming between 90° and 120°. This advantageously facilitates the collection and subsequent discharge of the excess solution S that deposits on the bottom 3 of the main body 2.
• said main body 2 may have a cross-section or geometrical shape different from the one previously described, such as a U-shaped or a mixed-line, polygonal, semicircular or curved cross-section, as illustrated, for instance, in the embodiments shown in figures 19a, 19b and 19c.
• the body 2 is made of a material that is inert to the nutritional solution S and is preferably synthetic, such as a plastic, and it is manufactured using an extrusion procedure, as further explained below.
• these means comprise a rib 61 extending longitudinally to the device 1, and more precisely on the upper outer portion of the side walls of the body 2.
• the supporting element E can thus be attached to said rib 61.
• the rib 61 may be replaced by a longitudinal groove.
• Another embodiment of the device carried out according to the invention indicated as a whole by the numeral 100 in figures from 4 to 12, differs from the embodiment previously described in that it comprises a main box-shaped body 2a open laterally at one end at least.
• the body 2a can be closed laterally by means of corresponding removable closing elements 15 and 16, as shown in figure 5.
• the preferred non-limiting embodiment shown in figures from 4 to 12 differs from the previous embodiment in that the delivery duct 9a, as shown particularly in figures 6 and 8, is integrated in the main box-shaped body 2a. This enables a further simplification of the manufacturing stages of the device 100, and of the main box-shaped body 2a in particular.
• the body 2a is preferably provided, at one end at least, with first connection means 17, suitable for coupling with second connection means 18 belonging to at least one closing element 15 and 16. More particularly, in the non-limiting embodiment shown in figures 4 and 5, the first connection means 17 are provided at both ends of the body 2a, and consist of the terminal portion of the ducts 9a and of the drainage duct 13.
• the second connection means 18, which belong to the two lateral closing elements 15, 16 - shown in detail in figures 9, 10 and 11, 12, respectively - comprise tubular elements 18a, 18b, suitable for snap connection to the above-mentioned ducts 9a and channel 13.
• At least one lateral closing element 16 also has at least one inlet duct 11 suitable for communicating with the ducts 9a of the delivery means 8 to enable the delivery of the nutritional solution S, and at least one drainage duct 14 suitable for communicating with the collection channel 13 to enable the drainage of the excess solution S that deposits on the bottom 3.
• the tubular elements 18a and 18b advantageously place the inlet ducts 11 in communication with the delivery means 8 and the collection channel 13 in communication with the drainage duct 14.
• connection means 17, 18 may comprise tabs or screws, or other equivalent means, and the connection between the ducts may, for instance, be obtained by means of suitable tubular elements.
• the device 100 is also complete with supporting means 20 suitable for supporting it and keeping it raised above the ground. This advantageously enables the gravity drainage of any excess solution through the drainage ducts 14.
• these supporting means 20 comprise feet 21 integrally attached to the main box-shaped body 2a. More in particular, these feet 21 form part of the lateral closing elements 15, 16.
• FIG. 200 Another non-limiting embodiment of a device carried out according to the invention, indicated as a whole by the numeral 200 in figures from 13 to 18, differs from the previous embodiment in that it comprises a plurality of main bodies 2b, two in the example shown, that are connected together by means of an intermediate element 25 and closed at the ends by the closing elements 15 and 16.
• Said intermediate element 25 is complete on both sides, as shown in particular in figures 17 and 18, with the aforesaid second connection means 18 that consist of tubular elements 18b suitable for coupling with the delivery ducts 9b and the drainage ducts 13 of each main body 2b, ensuring their hydraulic connection.
• This enables a device 200 of the desired length to be created by assembling several main bodies 2b of standard dimensions, thus achieving a modular system.
• there may be one or more hydraulic sealing elements, consisting for instance of gaskets, to prevent the unabsorbed residual liquid and the solution carried by the delivery means from leaking from the respective ducts.
• FIG. 20 schematically shows a system for the aeroponic and/or hydroponic cultivation of plants, indicated as a whole by the numeral 500, that also forms the subject of the present invention, in which devices of the previously-described type are employed.
• said cultivation system may also be used with devices of a different type, providing they are complete with inlet ducts 11 for delivering the nutritional solution S and drainage ducts 14 for discharging the excess solution deposited in each device 1, 100, 200.
• the system 500 comprises a device 200, means 501 for storing the various chemical products to be mixed to obtain a nutritional solution for the plants P being cultivated, comprising containers 501a, 501b, ..., 50 Ii placed in communication by means of ducts 502 with at least one tank 503 for storing the nutritional solution S.
• the tank 503 is also in communication, by means of a duct 504 carrying the nutritional solution S, with the delivery means 8 provided on the device 200.
• the system also comprises a duct 505 for returning the nutritional solution S, hydraulically communicating with at least one drainage duct 14 for discharging the excess solution from the device 200.
• the proposed system is advantageously of the closed-circuit and automated type, and it also comprises means 506 for collecting the nutritional solution from the tank 503 and carrying it to the delivery means of the device 200.
• the system 500 also comprises means 507 for collecting the excess solution S from inside the device 200 and carrying it back to the tank 503 containing the nutritional solution S.
• Said means 506 and 507 also comprise at least one first hydraulic pump 508 for collecting the nutritional substance and sending it to the delivery means of the device 200, and at least one second pump 509 for sucking the excess nutritional substance discharged through the drainage duct 14 and carrying it to the tank 503.
• the system 500 also comprises means 510 for regulating the flow of substances from the containers 501a, 501b, ..., 50 Ii towards the tank 503.
• said means comprise valves 511a, consisting of solenoid valves, and pumps 511b governed by a control unit 512.
• Said control unit 512 preferably comprises an electronic processor by means of which the operator can set the proportions of the chemical products to be delivered in order to prepare the required nutritional solution S.
• the system 500 may also not necessarily include pumps for forcing the solution through the various delivery and/or discharge ducts.
• the control unit 512 controls the means 506 and 507 that, as mentioned previously, comprise the pumps 508, 509 and the corresponding solenoid valves.
• the tanks of the concentrated nutritional solutions of macro- and micro-elements preferably contain agitators that use either air or mechanical forces, designed to keep the contents in motion to avoid any precipitation of the ingredients.
• the agitators may operate either continuously or at intervals, and they may be governed by the control unit 512.
• the system 500 also advantageously enables the monitoring and any necessary adjustment and/or integration, and/or regeneration to be done in a fully automated manner on the nutritional solution S contained in the collection tank 503.
• At least one transducer element preferably placed inside the tank 503 and suitable for providing information on the composition of the nutritional solution S contained inside the tank 503, in co-operation with the control unit 512.
• the control unit is designed to govern the various pumps and the opening/closing of the solenoid valves according to the parameters set by the user and to the data provided by the above-mentioned transducer.
• the operation of the device and of the system forming the subject of the invention is now described with reference to the system shown in figure 20.
• the user specifies on the control unit 512 what type of nutritional solution is suitable for the plants P being cultivated inside the device 200.
• the required solution may be obtained by suitably mixing two concentrated nutritional solutions of macro-elements, one concentrated solution of micro-elements, a pH corrector acid solution and a pH corrector basic solution, all stocked in a corresponding number of tanks 501a, 501b, ..., 50 Ii.
• the operator can enable the system by starting the pumps and the corresponding solenoid valves that continuously collect the various substances in the pre-set proportions from the corresponding containers and convey them to the tank 503.
• the nutritional solution S is then drawn from the tank 503 by means of the pump 508 and conveyed to the inlet duct 11 on the device 200 through the duct 504.
• the solution S passes through the inlet duct 11 and reaches the delivery ducts 9b and the nozzles 10, through which the solution is distributed over the roots of the plants P.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Hydroponics (AREA)

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• 2007
  • 2007-01-05 IT IT000006A patent/ITVI20070006A1/it unknown
  • 2007-12-24 WO PCT/IB2007/004170 patent/WO2008084323A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-12-24 EP EP20070859235 patent/EP2101560A2/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2009
  • 2009-07-30 SM SM200900066T patent/SMP200900066B/it unknown

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